by Egg Harbor Township, NJ – Marek Cherkaoui, a 21-year-old man from New Jersey, has been arrested and faces federal cyberstalking charges after allegedly coercing a 13-year-old girl into cutting herself during a livestream under threat of being doxed. This disturbing case has raised serious concerns about the dangers of online extremist behavior and the impact of cyberstalking on vulnerable minors.
Disturbing Cyberstalking Incidents
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Cherkaoui allegedly demanded a young girl to self-harm by threatening to release personal information about her and her family—a practice known as doxing. The complaint details two incidents involving a 13-year-old girl who cut herself multiple times under the pressure of these threats.
- The first incident involved the girl cutting herself, after which she blocked Cherkaoui.
- Despite this, he re-established contact and ordered her to cut herself again, this time live on camera.
- The girl complied and joined his livestream channel to self-harm in view of an audience.
- After the second incident, she closed all her online accounts to avoid further contact.
- Cherkaoui then proceeded to dox her by publicly sharing the names of her family members and her home and school addresses.
The Network of Nihilistic Violent Extremists
Cherkaoui is accused of being part of a network described in the complaint as “nihilistic violent extremists,” characterized by a hatred of society and an agenda to cause chaos and social instability. He allegedly celebrated when he mistakenly believed that a person he had targeted had died by suicide. Experts point out that this type of extremism often involves coordinated online harassment campaigns aimed at vulnerable individuals.
“These individuals engage in criminal conduct with the intent to sow indiscriminate chaos and destruction,” the complaint states.
Additional Allegations and Hate Speech
Further allegations against Cherkaoui include soliciting child sexual abuse material from minors, expressing a disturbing desire to marry a 13-year-old, and spreading hateful rhetoric targeting minority groups, transgender people, and non-White children. He reportedly made statements such as:
“Better for them to be removed when they’re young before they grow up and become a bigger problem. They marginalized kids are a very good high-value soft target.”
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Detention
Cherkaoui is currently held in a Philadelphia facility. The federal cyberstalking charge against him carries significant penalties, including:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Fines up to $250,000
- Up to three years of supervised release
Read Also: NYC Judge Demands Maximum Sentence for Aspiring Rapper Accused of Cat Sacrifice in Satanic Ritual
Understanding the Broader Context
This case shines a light on the severe psychological and legal impact of online harassment and cyberstalking, especially on minors. For more details on this case and similar ongoing issues, refer to the full coverage by PEOPLE.
What Can Be Done?
Experts recommend increased awareness and vigilance among parents, educators, and social media platforms to monitor and intervene in such harmful activities. Key preventive measures include:
- Educating minors about online safety and the dangers of sharing personal information
- Prompt reporting of cyberstalking and online threats to authorities
- Supporting victims through counseling and mental health resources
- Developing stronger law enforcement actions against online extremists
What do you think about this alarming case? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
